1illu® hinese THE TEXIANS AND THE TEXANS THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES AT SAN ANTONIO .. The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio 1981 • THE TEXIANS AND THE TEXANS A series dealing with the many peoples who have contributed to the history and heritage of Texas. Now in print: Pamphlets- The Indian Texans, The German Texans, The Norwegian Texans, Th e Mexican Texans (in English) , Los Tejanos Mexicanos (in Spanish), The Spanish Texans, The Polish Texans, The Czech Texans, The French Texans, Th e Italian Texans, The Greek Texans, The Jewish Texans, The Syrian and Lebanese Texans, The Afro-American Texans, The Belgian Texans, The Swiss Texans, The Chinese Texans and The Anglo-American Texans. Books - The Irish Texans, The Danish Texans and The German Texans . .. The Chinese Texans Principal Researcher: William T. Field Jr. ©1978: The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio Jack R. Maguire, Executive Director Pat Maguire, Director of Publications and Coordinator of Programs First Edition , Second Printing, 1981 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 77-28587 International Standard Book Number 0-933164-91-2 This publication was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Houston Endowment, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. Great Wall of China. THE CHINESE TEXANS to "traditional American life ." At the same time they were obviously To the average nineteenth-century American, descendants of an old and highly cultured civili­ Chinese immigrants presented an interesting but zation, but it was a civilization that was isolated paradoxical portrait. They were heirs of one of and remote from the rest of the world. The the world's great civilizations, but everything Great Wall of China, a tremendous construction they did seemed to be backward. They read achievement, was but one obstacle making the sentences from right to left and their books from country a closed society. Governmental attitude back to front. They introduced themselves using and policy closed the country to foreigners for their surnames first instead of last. They many years. Great geographic distances as well mounted horses from the right side instead of as cultural differences within the provinces also from the left. Even the needles on the com­ contributed to the development of an isolated passes they carried pointed south instead of society. north. Recently, however, Chinese immigrants have Their physical appearance- even the color of been welcomed into American life. Following an their skin-was different from that of their neigh­ extended period of discrimination, exclusion bors. They wore pigtails hanging down their laws and antipathy toward all things foreign , backs, a practice imposed by the Manchu Americans recognized that, in addition to their Dynasty during the seventeenth century. Their industry, honesty and thrift, the Chinese people clothes were cotton, pajamalike garments, and possessed a fascinating and unique cultural heri­ their belongings were carried in wicker baskets tage. Some of their customs have now become on their shoulders. Their language, their a part of American tradition. One example, the customs and their religion bore no resemblance custom of exploding firecrackers in celebration of 1 -r placed over a modern gas burner. Chinese restaurants are widely distributed throughout the state. As many younger Chinese have come to prefer American foods, their neighbors from other ethnic groups have discovered the enjoy­ ment of Chinese cooking. NEW ARRIVALS FROM AN ANCIENT WORLD Early Spanish explorers met Chinese traders on the Pacific coast. It was not until the 1840's, however, that a substantial immigration of new settlers from China began. Britain had defeated China in the Opium War, which lasted from 1839 to 1842. The Manchu Dynasty, although it would continue into the twentieth century, was perceptibly weakening. The social structure of China was deteriorating; a series of rebellions plunged the country into intermittent civil war for more than 20 years. Then from California came news of a great gold strike. Adventurous Chinese began prepar­ ations to make their fortunes by heading east to the "west's" gold fields. In 1850, 25,000 Chinese immigrants sailed on forty ships from Hong Kong to California. Few women came; most of the arrivals were men who hoped to gain wealth and then return home or bring their fami­ lies to America. Few, if any, Chinese made their way to Texas in this early period. By the 1870 United States Census, only 25 Chinese were listed as living in " \ Texas. In 1880 the number climbed to 136. For \ the next several decades, the number of Chinese \ \ . in Texas remained small but relatively stable. 1890- 710 Chinese Immigrants on board the steamship Alaska. 1900- 836 the Fourth of July, did not originate among An­ 1910-595 glo-American colonists in 1776. Firecrackers 1920-773 were introduced by Chinese in San Francisco 1930 - 703 when celebrating the admission of California to 1940- 1,031 the Union in 1850. Chinese cuisine has been 1950- 2,435 appreciated by Texans for a long time . One Chinese dish, chop suey, is actually a Chinese­ In 1960, 4 ,172 Chinese were recorded of­ American creation and almost unknown to the ficially, and the figure reached 7,635 in 1970 Chinese mainland. And the great old German including both native and foreign born. In the dish, sauerkraut, had its origins in China and is a middle 1970'sestimates by Chinese themselves favored Oriental food of long standing . suggested a population of some 15,000 Chinese Traditional ingredients of Chinese cooking are in Houston alone and some 3,000 in San An­ easily obtained in many Texas cities, as Oriental tonio. In addition, there were several thousand import shops stock a diversified array of cooking more in El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth and in ingredients from China. The Chinese wok, or smaller towns throughout the state. The total frying pan, originally used over a charcoal stove, number of Chinese in Texas was estimated at has now been replaced with a built-in wok 22,000. 2 AN ANCIENT CULTURE BLENDS IN A MODERN SETTING Today one of the distinguishing traits of Chinese Texans is an enthusiastic participation in all as­ pects of modern culture. But they have become Americanized in thought, speech and dress with­ out sacrificing all elements of their own cultural identity. They still surround themselves with symbols of their heritage. Prompted by a genuine interest in their cultural traditions - and helped by a written language of unusual stability -they are among the few people who can commonly read a calligraphic scroll over a thousand years old and a modern newspaper. Wedding customs are still observed, although the beautifully embroidered Chinese wedding gowns are often replaced by the white western style. Traditional practices that are still followed include sending invitations engraved in gold on red paper, dressing the bride in jade and gold family heirlooms, formal acknowledgment by the couple of their obeisance to the parents of the groom, and the exchange by the two families of moon cakes and Chinese pastries. In the past Chinese were expected to marry Chinese, but intermarriage between the Chinese and other ethnic groups has increased considerably among the younger generation. Chinese Dragon Head mask for use in New Years Day Celebration. The "red egg" party is also celebrated on occa­ sion. Friends and relatives are invited to the event, which commemorates the first cutting of a month-old baby's hair. After the infant's head has been shaved, a red egg is rubbed over it for good luck. Red is the color symbolizing happiness and good fortune, and red eggs are given to the guests as favors. An important birthday celebra­ tion is the parents' seventieth. The traditional gift is money in a red envelope. 3 JsSi. liD . * .. --:· .. ·· Gilded King Lung in Hong Kong. The dress of Chinese Texans has changed over the years as American articles a£ clothing another occasion in El Paso , in 1909, a hun­ have been gradually combined with the tradi­ dred-foot-long dragon highlighted the Presiden­ tional costume. The chipao, still worn at times Ual Parade honoring President William Howard by Chinese women, has been adopted by many Taft and Mexican President Porfirio Diaz. westerners. It is attractive and comfortable and Individual Chinese families often hold Lunar cut in classic lines that never go out of style . New Year Celebrations. The home is thoroughly The Ten-Ten Celebration (tenth day of the cleaned and an elaborate festive dinner planned. tenth month) is held on October tenth, a national Early on the eve of the new year, the men of holiday commemorating the founding of the the family seek out their friends and settle their Chinese Republic. accounts so that they can greet the new year with a clean slate. Shops remain open a little THE KING LUNG AND THE CHINESE longer that day to make sure no one loses face LUNAR NEW YEAR by not paying his debts. New Year's Eve dinner, the last meal of the The Chinese Lunar New Year is observed with year, is eaten leisurely. Doors of the house are feasting and merrymaking. Banquets are held in sealed with red papers for good luck, and every­ fraternal halls and community centers in cele­ one remains awake to await the new year. At bration of the event. Banners, firecrackers,and midnight family members exchange cere­ small papier-mache dragons and lions are often monious greetings. Children bow low to their part of the occasion. parents and wish them a happy new year. The In recent years interest has been revived in the parents present gifts of small amounts of money parade of the large dragon featured in celebra­ in bright red envelopes decorated with gold em­ tions in San Francisco and New York City.